When I was just 23 I drew up a bucket list of things I wanted to achieve in my life. Among the items on the list was a dream to visit Oprah Winfrey’s talk show. When I was at university I remember rushing home to see Oprah’s show. She was such a role model for me – a professional, successful woman who wanted to give back.
Years went by and eventually I began working as a mortgage broker. I had a particularly good year and I decided to reward myself and tick something big off my bucket list. So fifteen years after I made my list I visited Oprah’s show in the States and had a photo taken with the superstar.
The meeting re-inspired me to give back to the community both financially and in terms of my time. BNI Means Business has helped me realise my charitable aims. Our chapter has weekly breakfast meetings in Mt Eden and as part of these meetings we’ve introduced a charity auction with all proceeds going to Mercy Hospice. Each week our members bring along a small item – like a bottle of wine or a magazine subscription – to auction off. This year through this fundraising effort we raised $2000 for hospice. I donated a further $1000 to this total.
I felt happy donating this money – I’ve had far more given back to me for my time at BNI. I can now attribute 35% of my business to BNI and I’ve been helped in so many other ways. Giving back is a no-brainer considering the benefits I’ve received – that’s what Givers Gain is all about.
We have a property hub at our group that includes a Lawyer, Accountant, Sign Writer and Property Manager. I feel surrounded by a power team that I can get into contact with if I need support. As a sole operator that sort of assistance is invaluable. I feel surrounded by supportive experts at our networking group.
I guess for me the Oprah influence means I feel the more I give the more I receive. Our networking group’s fundraising efforts range from the small (the weekly auctions) to the large (supporting major charity events). Everything helps, there’s no need to only put on huge fundraisers – incrementally the small things build up. I recommend other chapters give the weekly charity auction a go; it creates a sense of energy in a chapter that leads to more engagement and more business and referrals down the line.
BNI has definitely contributed to the growth of my business in many ways and I know we’ve made a difference in our community. There’s a real sense of satisfaction when you do this sort of giving back. Just like there’s a satisfaction when you tick something off your bucket list. I encourage members to do both in 2015.
Sara Hartigan, Mortgage Broker for Supercity Mortgages and Insurance, member for BNI Means Business Mt Eden, Auckland
